WASHINGTON – On December 9, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), conducted the fourth large-frame charter removal flight in less than six months to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) of Chinese nationals with no lawful basis to remain in the United States. This removal flight is yet another example of the Department’s ongoing cooperation with the PRC and other international partners to deter irregular migration through the timely processing and removal of individuals who have not established a legal basis to remain in the United States. DHS and its counterparts in the PRC also continue joint work to counter the human smuggling networks that facilitate irregular migration. Our messaging has been clear: Do not believe the lies of smugglers. The United States continues to enforce immigration law, and those without a legal basis to remain will be swiftly removed. DHS is enforcing U.S. immigration laws and delivering tough consequences for those who enter unlawfully or without authorization. This includes swiftly returning those without a legal basis to remain in the United States, while encouraging the use of safe, lawful, and orderly pathways; holding transnational criminal networks accountable for abusing our lawful trade and travel systems; and preventing the smuggling and exploitation of vulnerable people. Since the June 4 Presidential Proclamation on Securing the Border and accompanying Interim Final Rule, which was finalized on September 30 subsequent to an updated Proclamation, went into effect, there has been a continued, meaningful decrease in unlawful border crossings – including a more than 60% decrease in encounters between ports of entry along the southwest border. DHS regularly engages counterparts throughout the hemisphere and around the world to accept removals of their nationals who have no legal basis to remain in the United States. From the implementation of the June 4 Proclamation through the end of November, DHS has operated more than 740 international repatriation flights to more than 160 countries—including the PRC, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Egypt, Mauritania, Senegal, Uzbekistan, and India. In the previous fiscal year, FY2024, DHS removed or returned more than 742,000 individuals, more than any year since FY2010. Efforts to expand removal flights continue. |
DHS Conducts Removal Flight to the People’s Republic of China
Release Date: December 11, 2024
Last Updated: 12/11/2024